Method and apparatus for anvil pruner and lopper with shock absorbing feature
A shock absorbing anvil pruner/lopper comprises a cutting blade and a shock absorbing anvil member with a compound action tang. The anvil member includes a liner member for engagement with the blade and a shock absorber in relation to the liner member, whereupon on engagement of the blade with the liner member during a cutting operation, the shock absorber will compress or otherwise absorb some of the force, providing for less physical shock being transmitted to the user through the pruner/lopper handles.
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This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/211,751 filed Sep. 16, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to tools, and more particularly to anvil type pruners and loppers with shock absorbing features.
Anvil type pruners and loppers, where a cutting blade is moved down against an anvil portion with a branch being cut therebetween, are highly effective.
However, the impact of the blade to the anvil, especially when cutting hard or thick branches or the like, can result in a jarring physical shock, which is transmitted to the user's hands and arms. Such physical shock can lead to user fatigue or increase the likelihood of repetitive motion injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Further, with an anvil type pruner/lopper, where the blade meets an anvil face the blade wears over time through use and the resulting wear can result in a gap between anvil and blade, causing a compromised cut which can, for example, leave a string of bark when cutting a branch. This is undesirable because a clean cut requirement is important for the longevity of a tree being pruned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the invention, an anvil type pruner/lopper is provided with a shock absorbing feature to dampen the physical shock between the blade and anvil when completing a cut.
Further in accordance with the invention, an anvil type pruner/lopper provides adjustment of the blade to anvil contact to accommodate wear over time while still providing a clean cut.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved anvil pruner/lopper which promotes clean cuts.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved anvil pruner/lopper with shock absorbing features built in along with promoting clean cuts.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved anvil pruner/lopper with a shock absorber provided to the anvil portion for reduction of physical shock from cutting operations.
The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements.
The system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises an anvil pruner/lopper having a shock absorbing feature.
Referring to
Referring now to
The anvil portion has an interior region that receives anvil cutting base and shock absorbing member 28 therein. In the illustrated embodiment, anvil portion 14 has a central opening slot 15 of a first width, with an interior region 17 of greater width. A stepped profile is provided by an upper ledge 34 of the anvil portion 14 and anvil cutting base 26 has a corresponding profile portion 32 to interact therewith to define an upper extension limit to the cutting base relative to the interior profile. In the illustrated embodiment, the profiles are of substantially right angle edges, but other profiles may be employed, whether with sharply defined edges or smooth or curved edges.
Referring now to
Referring to
Anvil cutting base 26 and shock absorbing member 28 suitably insert into the space define in anvil portion 14, in the direction of arrow 40, and are secured therein against unintended removal by key 38 which is inserted into a corresponding key slot 44 in anvil portion 14, to block removal thereof.
Thus, assembly is accomplished by inserting cutting base 26 and shock absorbing member 28 into the opening of anvil portion 14, followed by insertion of key 38. By reverse procedure, the cutting base and shock absorbing members can be removed for repair or replacement.
In a particular embodiment, blade portion 12 is made of steel, anvil portion 14 is of aluminum, pivot 16 comprises a center oiler bolt and handles 18, 20 comprises aluminum handle members. Bolts 22, 24 are hardened bolts or other suitable fasteners that create a compound action in conjunction with the configuration and shape of the other portions of the device to enable reduction in the amount of strength required to complete a cut. The pivot 16 may comprise, for example, a center oiler bolt by Barnel International, Inc., Portland, Oreg. US, which includes an interior lubrication reservoir with lubrication channels to provide ongoing lubrication to the pivoting region and elements during use. The reservoir includes a refilling capability to replenish the lubrication as desired. Bolt 22 may also be such a center oiler bolt. Anvil cutting base 26 comprises nylon fiberglass and shock absorbing member 28 comprises poly urethane rubber material. The cutting base 26 may also be a metal member, or of other composition to provide an engagement surface to meet with the blade. Alternatively, shock absorbing member may be a leaf spring or other mechanical spring mechanism. Key 38 (which is optional) and may comprise nylon fiberglass, is sized to provide a friction fit to remain in place in absence of intentional removal forces being applied thereto.
Referring to
With the above embodiments, the shock absorber 28 and base 26 can suitably be replaced as desired, to accommodate wear. A complete replacement anvil with base 26 and shock absorber 28 installed therein may be provided as replacement parts.
Referring to
Accordingly, in accordance with the above description, an anvil type pruner/lopper is provided having shock absorbing capabilities, to provide a more comfortable cutting action, reduced operator fatigue and the like. The operation of the shock absorbing features results in less physical shock being transmitted through the handles of the pruner/lopper to the user's hands. Also, the compound action design of the anvil base tang provides desirable operational results.
The device promotes clean cuts, leaving no bark strings, etc., as a result of the liner 26 that operates as a cushioning device, as well as to promote ergonomic cuts. Use of the liner 26 also is less apt to dull the blade edge as compared with conventional anvil type cutting devices, but instead retains the longevity of the cutting edge. The blade edge remains ultra sharp given that it is not coming in contact with aluminum but instead with the liner which promotes clean cuts yet remains friendly with the blade coming in contact with it.
While plural embodiments of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An anvil pruner/lopper, comprising:
- a cutting blade having lateral sides; and
- an anvil member having a cutting blade engaging surface, wherein said cutting blade and anvil member cooperate together to effect cutting of a workpiece by passing of said cutting blade through a first side of the work piece as a result of pressing of a second side of the work piece against said anvil member and pressing of said cutting blade against the first side of the workpiece whereby the cutting blade contacts the anvil member cutting blade engaging surface to complete the cutting of the workpiece,
- wherein said cutting blade and said anvil member are in movable pivotable relation to one another and the cutting blade operative to engage the cutting blade engaging surface of said anvil member in a position such that additional non-engaging surface portions of said anvil member exist laterally on each lateral side of said cutting blade, and wherein said anvil member provides shock absorbing during cutting operations said anvil member comprising at least one spring positioned in a cavity within said anvil member, said at least one spring pushing upwardly against a portion of said anvil member providing biasing of said anvil member portion toward said cutting blade,
- wherein said anvil member comprises: a cutting base adapted to engage with said cutting blade during a cutting operation; and said at least one spring pushes against said cutting base in a direction toward said cutting blade during a cutting operation, providing cushioning to said cutting base,
- and wherein said cavity comprises a space defined in said anvil member for receiving and maintaining said cutting base and said at least one spring therein.
2. The anvil pruner/lopper according to claim 1, wherein during a cutting operation, said cutting blade presses against said cutting base, which presses against and compresses said at least one spring.
3. The anvil pruner/lopper according to claim 1, wherein said space defined in said anvil member includes a profile and said cutting base includes a corresponding counterpart profile, and wherein said at least one spring provides a bias for providing engagement between said profiles in absence of cutting force from said cutting blade.
4. The anvil pruner/lopper according to claim 1, wherein said cutting base comprises a metal.
5. The anvil pruner/lopper according to claim 1, wherein said at least one spring comprises plural springs.
6. The anvil pruner/lopper according to claim 5, wherein said plural springs comprises a coil springs.
7. (The anvil pruner/lopper according to claim 1, wherein said cutting base comprises a poly urethane.
8. The anvil pruner/lopper according to claim 1, wherein said pruner/lopper effects a cutting operation by cutting through a workpiece on one side of the workpiece, cutting through the workpiece to meet the cutting blade engaging surface of the anvil member.
9. A method of providing a shock absorbing anvil pruner/lopper, comprising:
- providing a cutting blade having lateral sides; and
- providing an anvil member having a cutting blade engaging surface,
- wherein said cutting blade and said anvil member are in movable pivotable relation to one another and the cutting blade operative to engage the cutting blade engaging surface of said anvil member in a position such that additional non-engaging surface portions of said anvil member exist laterally on each lateral side of said cutting blade, and wherein said anvil member is provided with shock absorbing function to absorb shock during cutting operations by operations of plural spring members positioned in a space defined in an interior portion of said anvil member,
- wherein providing said anvil member comprises: providing a cutting base adapted to engage with said cutting blade during a cutting operation; and providing said cutting base in operative engagement with said plural spring members, whereby said plural spring members yieldingly urge said cutting base towards said cutting blade for providing cushioning to said cutting base,
- and further comprising said anvil member space defined in the interior thereof is for receiving and maintaining said cutting base and said plural spring members therein.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein during a cutting operation, said cutting blade presses against said cutting base, which presses against and compresses said plural spring members.
11. The method according to claim 9, wherein providing said space defined in said anvil member includes a profile and said cutting base is provided with a corresponding counterpart profile, and wherein said spring members provide a bias for providing engagement between said profiles in absence of cutting force from said cutting blade.
12. The method according to claim 9, wherein providing said cutting base comprises providing a cutting base that is at least partially a metal.
13. The method according to claim 9, wherein providing said cutting base comprises providing a poly urethane shock absorber.
14. The method according to claim 9, wherein providing said springs comprise plural coil springs.
15. The method according to claim 9, wherein the pruner/lopper effects a cutting operation by cutting through a workpiece on one side of the workpiece, cutting through the workpiece to meet the cutting blade engaging surface of the anvil member.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Apr 22, 2009
Date of Patent: Dec 17, 2013
Patent Publication Number: 20100064526
Assignee: Barnel International, Inc. (Portland, OR)
Inventors: Linn E. Nelson (Portland, OR), Karl H. Zeller (Portland, OR)
Primary Examiner: Stephen Choi
Application Number: 12/428,435
International Classification: B26B 17/00 (20060101);